Abaco Lodge | Great Abaco Island, Bahamas January 22-27, 2019 with Josh Gallivan and Scott Smith

The Bahamas has more than 700 islands and 2,000 cays covering 800 miles of Atlantic Ocean ex-tending from coastal Florida in the North to Cuba in the South. Like most island nations, its culture and economic roots are tied to the sea. Bonefishing has been a Bahamian way of life for decades. All Abaco Lodge guides are Bahamian Nationals, and multi generation fishers, divers, and watermen. Saltwater fly fishing in the Bahamas is world-renowned. Abaco Lodge is the sole bonefishing resort in the Marls, a 300 square mile wildlife sanctuary on the island’s western edge. The Marls is part of a recently designated National Park with a thriving bonefish population and an average depth of four feet. Very little tidal influence makes the fishing consistent. With so much water to fish, you’ll fish unpres-sured and new water daily.

Trip OverviewDay 1 - Tuesday Jan 22

Flight to Marsh Harbour International airport (MHH). Shuttled to the lodge by an Abaco Lodge representative. Check into your room, unpack, relax at the pool, have a drink, meet other guests as they arrive, cocktail hour starts at 4. That night you will rig rods and organize for the four days of fishing ahead.

Day 2-5 Wednesday-Saturday Jan 23-26

Cooked to order breakfast and coffee starting at 0600. Expect delicious omelettes, breads, fresh fruits, pastries. Customiz-able lunch orders will be filled out on a menu card the night before and include sandwiches, salads, wraps, chocolates, fruits, and more. You can customize your Yeti cooler for the day with various beers, wines, water and soft drinks. By 0730 you will jump into the boats for the full day of fishing ahead. By 1600 you will be back at the lodge for a shower, cocktail hour starts. Appetizers will be served at 1730 and include new items daily (chicken satay, stone crab, smoked fish, chips, dips, etc). Dinner is served at 7 and features local island fare, (fresh fish, conch, lobster, grilled meats, salads, etc.) Gourmet and plentiful!

Day 6 - Sunday Jan 27

Depending on the time of your departing flight, a half day of fishing can be scheduled for an extra fee. A lodge representa-tive will shuttle you back to the airport. Inclusions

• 5 nights and 4 days at the Abaco Lodge in your own private room complete with a private bath-room and A/C

• 4 days fully guided fly fishing experience• Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily• Open bar policy at the lodge including fine

wines, rum, vodka, fine scotches, local beers etc.• Airport transfers• All loaner equipment if requested (rods, reels,

flats booties) *• Wifi in your room

* A charge of $250.00 will be billed to you in the event a rental rod is broken

Exclusions• International airfare• Terminal tackle (flies, leaders, tippet)• Gratuities for guides, lodge staff, airport shuttle• Items of a personal nature• Small departure tax• Trip Insurance

Cost: $5,200 single occupancyGroup size: 12Trip Duration: 5 nights 4 days

Health Concerns

You do not need any inoculations to travel to the Bahamas. However, Make sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccines before every trip. If you have a health condition, please make sure to bring all the medication you will require for your stay. The lodge has a basic first aid supply but please bring any additional items you might need. There is Air ambulance service available for serious emergencies. However, medical evacuation is expen-sive. We recommend you always by travel insurance before any trip in case of emergency.

Climate

The Bahamas enjoys a moderate climate. During the summer, temperatures rarely rise above 90F, and fluctuate between 85-90F in the daytime and 75F or less in the evening. In the winter, temperatures rarely fall below 60F, and usually reach 77F by mid-afternoon. Rainfall ranges between 40-60 inches a year. Although humidity can reach 80% prevailing easterly winds keep things comfortable.

The Fishing

Even though there is a standard routing for the scheduled fishing days, it can also be tailored to your needs with advanced notice. The Marls region is so big, it could swallow 13 Manhattans in its 300 square mile foot-print. This wilderness area is peppered with unpopulated pine forest islands, mangrove cays, and a thriving bonefish population. Marl’s bonefish average 2-4 pounds. Larger fish in the 5-8 pound class, although fewer and harder to catch, are also in good numbers. Permit and Juvenile tarpon shots are rare although not unheard of, and barracuda, jack crevalle, plus various shark species also call this area home. Fishing in the Marls is done from Hells Bay flats skiffs. Wading opportunities also exist. From the lodge dock, runs to the flats vary from 10-45 minutes depending. All skiffs are very new and are spacious and comfortable. With padded seats, back rests, lean bars and plenty of storage in the bow. Boats are also equipped with a first aid kit and satellite phone.

Equipment

Bonefish: We recommend 9ft, 7-8wt. rods. Under normal conditions, you can make a delicate presentation with a 7wt rod and an unweighted fly. A fast 8wt however, allows you to punch that fly through the wind. Use saltwater capable reels with adjustable drags and capacity for 150 yds. of 20lb. test backing. Weight-forward bonefishing lines should be paired with 10 foot 10lb. or 12 lb. leaders. Bring extra leaders and a few spools of tippet in the 8-15lb. range. Fly wise, the options are endless and selections depend on the kinds of flats you are fishing. There is a small fly shop at the lodge which stocks all the flies you will ever need.

Tarpon and Permit: Tarpon and Permit shots are rare, but you will see both species on occasion. For juvenile tarpon setups, a section of 40lb. bite tippet is perfect. For permit in the 10-25lb. range keep a 9-10wt. rod rigged with a 10ft. 16lb. leader with a merkin style crab pattern just in case!

Predators: For barracuda and shark you will need about a foot of wire bite tippet attached to your leader with an albright knot, or something similar. We prefer single strand in the 40lb. range but knot-able wire works as well. For sharks, a large popper in bright colors. Think red, orange and or yellow. For barracuda a classic nee-dle fish fly, but don’t forget to strip fast!

Clothing

While the lodge has a well stocked shop, we recommend bringing the following:

• A waterproof lightweight rain jacket for the occasional shower• Light colored pants and long sleeved shirts will protect you form the sun and insect bites• Saltwater specific wading boots (the lodge has neoprene booties that work just fine)• A proper sun hat protects you from the sun, increases your energy and enhances your vision• Light comfortable clothes for cocktail hour and a swimsuit for relaxing in the pool

*Laundry service is available at the lodge.

Managers: Managers at Abaco Lodge work hard to provide us the best staff and services. Gratuities are not ex-pected, but any amount you wish to give will be greatly appreciated.

Guides: You may want to tip your guide directly, but we are also happy to handle it for you. As guides are gen-erally rotated daily, you will fish with more than one guide during your stay. The recommended tip is $80.00 - $120.00 per day, per boat. However, if you feel your guide has really put in a lot of work for you, you may wish to tip more. Remember that even a fish-less day involves a lot of work for the guide.

House staff: We recommend $40.00 - $60.00 per room. It is best to give this to the manager at the end of the stay so that it can be allocated among the chef, waitresses, maids, and maintenance help.

Airport shuttle: The lodge provides airport transfers to and from the lodge. However, the driver is always grate-ful for any gratuities.

Gratuities

Packing List• Passport• Brown or amber tinted polarized sunglasses• Insect repellent and after bite cream• Clippers and needle-nosed pliers• Hook sharpener• Leatherman or multi-tool• Fly-line dressing• Reel cover for the boat ride• Leader material• A suitable waterproof bag to hold your tackle in the boat• Medication for such common ailments as diarrhea, upset stomach, motion sickness, headache and nausea,

along with any necessary prescriptions.• Be sure to bring and use sun block (45-60 SPF), ideally waterproof, even on cloudy days. Also plan to use

lip balm, depending on your sensitivity. (The sun is very strong!)

Contact UsJosh Gallivan Fly Fishing

E-mail : joshgallivan@gmail.com

Web : www.joshgallivan.com

Instagram : instagram.com/joshgallivan

Facebook : facebook.com/joshgallivan

Mobile - (307) 690-9688